A FORMER Aberystwyth Silver Band member has donated an instrument to the band.

Hywel Jones, who performed with a range of bands in Aberystwyth, Birmingham and Bristol, started playing in Aberystwyth Borough Band in the 1940s, before it became Aberystwyth Silver Band.

Hywel, a former councillor on Ceredigion County Council, has recently become a resident at the Bodlondeb residential home in Penparcau, and made the decision to donate his cornet to the band where he first started playing.

The cornet was first received by Hywel around 70 years ago when he was 15, and Heather Phillips, of the band, said they were thrilled to have received the instrument and said it would be used by band members.

She said: “We are grateful to Hywel for this bequest and also grateful to Nick Taylor, of Musical Instrument Repairs in Bronant, for restoring the instrument.”

Hywel played with a range of bands including the Ralph Davies Dance Band at Aberystwyth’s old King’s Hall, and the RAF Band when he served during National Service.

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